Mouse Device with Tactile Feedback Applied to Housing

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a tracking device ( 10 ) and a method for a sensory feedback to the tracking device ( 10 ), when a cursor ( 28 ) hits or passes the borders of a graphical detail ( 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44 ). In an alternative embodiment for marking graphical details ( 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44 ) it is achieved that the cursor ( 28 ) controlled by the tracking device ( 10 ) on a display is fixed within the borders of said details ( 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44 ), when the cursor hits the borders, the tracking device ( 10 ) receiving a sensory feedback ( 46 ). In an embodiment is indicated how the cursor ( 28 ) is released from the fixation. The invention provides especially cognitive, tactile and motoric advantages to the user of socalled window interfaces with key rows ( 40, 42, 44 ) and icons ( 34 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a tracking device and a methodfor a sensory feedback from a cursor status for a cursor with graphicaldetails being scanned or passed in connection with a program orcomprising it. More specifically the invention provides a signal to begenerated for a sensory feedback generating a movement of the trackingdevice.

STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The user interface in form of a window (Window) as a facility toaccess special program functions in a data program is found in almostevery modern interface. The program basing on the use of windowscomprises also function keys in e.g. key rows, screen and displaydelimiters and icons, so-called graphic symbols.

[0003] To achieve access to the functions contained in the symbols acursor is controlled by means of a tracking device ( computer mouse,trackball, pointer, etc.) over a display unit showing the symbols, thefunction of the symbol being produced by e.g. pressing a key with one orseveral touches.

[0004] A problem with the control of the cursor to effect the symbolsarises when it is difficult to fix the cursor to the symbol in adistinct way to let the touches have the desired effect.

[0005] It is easier to hit e.g. keys situated at the edge of a displaythan one in its centre. To hit a key at the edge the computer mouse ispulled quickly in the right direction to reach the key. It has noimportance if the computer mouse is pulled too far. The cursor willanyhow stop at the edge. To hit a key situated e.g. in the centre of thedisplays frame more coordination is however required by a user of thecomputer mouse to hit the target, thus, the user must e.g. slow down thetracking device before the key is reached to let the cursor land on thekey. This step takes time and might be difficult and might even give theuser stress and irritation.

[0006] A further problem, which is related to the use of trackingdevices for said object, is that the user requires a simultaneousfeature, i.e. to e.g. quickly localize the key for the memorizingfunction in a program without necessarily having to let the eye scan thedisplay unit.

[0007] In the european patent application EP-A1-0,607,580 a computermouse with a pin is described receiving signals from a host computerunit effecting the pin which generates sensory signals to a users fingertop e.g. when the cursor status is altered The invention according tosaid EP-application is, however, not without problems in that a fingertop must be kept in contact with the pin. Ergonometric studies haveshown that the user of a computer mouse when continuously using thecomputer mouse hardly can keep the finger tops over the same spot over alonger period of time. This is easily understood by ordinary people assome users are easily seized with cramp, writing cramps being a wellknown complaint. Furthermore, some people suffer from a lighter orheavier trembling. Thus the computer mouse with a pin is restricted inits use for a not negligible part of the users of tracking devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention intends to solve above mentioned problemsrelated to a window face and similar in a new and innovative manner.

[0009] To achieve said object of the invention it is for markinggraphical details in connection with or comprised in the programproposed a tracking device as a user interface for the access of programfunctions comprised in the details.

[0010] A cursor as a tracking device controlling on a display receives asensory feedback from status signals for a user of the cursor in a hostunit, when the cursor hits or passes said graphical details, in such away that means arranged in the tracking device generate a movement ofthe tracking device.

[0011] The movement of the tracking device consists of that it vibrates,bounces, bumps or slants.

[0012] The cursor might be fixed within the limits of optional derails,even three-dimensional ones, when the cursor hits the limit or passes itand the cursor is thus released by pushing the tracking device mantledownwards.

[0013] A graphical detail might be an icon, a key, a window or a borderlimiting the window.

[0014] Alternatively, graphical details in form of key rows providevarious sensory feedback depending on the key and its function.

[0015] In a further alternative the cursor being fixed within a detail,is free to move within the borders of the detail.

[0016] The cursor, being fixed within a three-dimensional object ordetail, is possibly free to move within the volume of the object or thedetail in an embodiment with the cursor possibly generating a shadowwithin the object or the detail when drawn out of these without firsthaving been released. The shadow allows that the cursor can be movedmore easily into the object or the detail. The invention comprises evena method for marking graphical details by means of a tracking device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0017] The invention will be described here below more in detail withreference so the attached figures of the drawings, where

[0018]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a tracking device in form of acomputer mouse connected to a host computer unit with a display showinggraphical details and a sensory feedback to the computer mouse accordingto the invention,

[0019]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an alternative sensory feedbackin a tracking device according to FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a pressing of the tracking deviceaccording to FIG. 1 in an embodiment of the invention,

[0021]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates in an exploded view of thecomputer mouse an embodiment of how a means might be arranged in thecomputer mouse to achieve a movement of the computer mouse,

[0022]FIG. 5 schematically illustrates how a cursor with a shadow isshown, when the user of the cursor touches a tracking device in athree-dimensional environment according to an embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention is here described more in detail withalternative embodiments illustrating the technology of the invention andthe cognitive, tactile and motoric advantages provided by a trackingdevice according to the invention.

[0024]FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a computer mouse 10 connected toa host unit 12 in form of a computer, here a PC, with a display unit 14and a key board 16.

[0025] The present invention with its embodiments specifically describesa computer mouse 10, the invention is however generally applicable to amajority of already known tracking devices such as track balls forportable computers, pointers, etc.

[0026] The computer mouse 10 consists of a casing 20 movable in relationto a bottom portion 18 and the conventional function keys 22, 24.Furthermore, the computer mouse is connected to a host unit 12, 14, 16by means of a signal cable 26 comprising signal lines for a track balls,here not shown, transmitters in the x and y-direction. Furthermore, thesignal cable comprises lines for transmitting status signals for thecursor 28 from a cursor controller comprised in the host unit 12, 14.

[0027] The display 14 shows schematically in its frame 30 how theinterface might be in a window environment. The frame 30 besides thedisplay cursor 28 a window 32, an icon 34, a display border 36, a lineof three keys 40, 42, 44 and three areas with special attributes not tobe described in detail.

[0028] When the cursor 28 by means of the computer mouse 10 is movedtowards or over the periphery 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44 of a graphicaldetail the host unit 12, 14 in one embodiment of the invention generatesby means of the cursor controllers status (x- and y-coordinates, statusflags, etc.) for the cursor 28 a sensory feedback in form of a signal bymeans of signal lines in the cable 26. The signal provides that a meansarranged in the computer mouse 10 generates a movement of the computermouse 10, e.g. in a form that the computer mouse vibrates, bounces,bumps, slants, etc.

[0029] In an alternative embodiment even the cursor 28 is fixed withinthe borders, but preferably in such a way, that it is free to movebetween the borders, e.g. between the borders 32 and 34 for the windowand the icon, respectively, if it is fixed within the window.

[0030] In fixing the cursor 28 within a graphical detail the statusregister for the cursor 28 is initiated that a signal is sent to thecomputer mouse 10 with its casing 20 receiving a sensory feedback inthat the cursor 28 has been fixed within or to a graphical detail 32,34, 36, 40, 42, 44. In the present embodiment the casing 20 vibrates 46in relation to the bottom portion 18. The complete computer mouse mighteventually vibrate in an embodiment without any specific casing andspecific bottom portion. A tracking device 10 might instead of vibratingbounce or bump each time the cursor is moved towards or fixed onto agraphical detail.

[0031] The vibrations can be achieved by means of devices such aselectromagnets, piezoelectric transmitters, composite metals and otherdevices available in the market possibly achieving vibrations.

[0032] Furthermore, the graphical detail, in which the cursor 28 hasbeen fixed, might in another embodiment be identified by means of thevibration frequency. In mots cases it is quite sufficient that a fewgraphical details are to be identified by means of the vibrationfrequency, e.g. by means of an enter key, here designates 40, so that asimultneous effect is achieved in that e.g. a program or a data file hasto be entered. This is achieved without the user necessarily sweeping ordrifting with his eyes over the frame 30 to find the enter key 40. Inprinciple most graphical derails might, however, be provided with aspecific code by means of the vibration frequency.

[0033] The cursor 28 being fixed within a frame it must be possiblyreleased from this fixation. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention this is achieved in that the computer mouse 10 or any otherused tracking device is extended to a pressure downwards effecting asignal transmitter, e.g. a pressure transmitter, co change the status ofthe cursor 28, the user then feeling as if it presses out the cursor oris diving under the edge of the border, thus improving the perception ofthe process on the frame 30.

[0034] In feeling that the cursor is sliding over e.g. a key 40 thepicture of the key 40 is elucidated. In a similar way the picture of awindow 32 is intensified.

[0035] A parallel to the present invention is the introduction ofshadows in a graphical interfaces. In that the user can see the shadowof an interface, such as a window, it becomes much easier to understandthe concept with several layers in windows, i.e. windows overlappingeach order. This provides a three-dimensional effect and improves theaesthetic aspect and provides even an improvement of the usersperception of the interface rending it mor effective. The presentinvention achieves similar features which provides the parallelism.

[0036] In FIG. 2 is shown another embodiment of a sensory feedbackaccording to the invention.

[0037]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the computer mouse 10, the casing20 being movable in relation to the bottom portion 18, slants to theright in the figure, marked by a downwards pointing arrow as a sensoryfeedback from the status register of the cursor 28. The slanting mighteven be achieved forwards, backwards, to the left, etc. Thus, thecorresponding slanting indicates a code. The slanting to the right mighte.g. imply the key for the entering function 40. In the same way, theother silanting positions might indicate the code for another graphicaldetail 32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44. Furthermore, alternating slantingpositions for a feedback might indicate further codes.

[0038] Meanss for slanting the computer mouse 10 might consist ofelectromagnets, relays, etc.

[0039] To leave a fixation within the limited area of a graphical detailor its periphery it is illustrated in FIG. 3, how the casing of thecomputer mouse 10 is pressed against the bottom portion 18, a pressuretransmitter e.g. generating a signal to the cursor 28 to leave a limitedarea, where it previously had been fixed. As already mentioned thecomputer mouse 10, with the casing 20 and the bottom portion formingtogether a unit, even by means of a convenient arrangement is providedwith a pressure transmitter to achieve signals releasing the cursor 28.

[0040] Regarding the arrangement of meanss adapted to generate thesensory feedback in a tracking device it is preferably designprecautions for the man of the art, but with reference to FIG. 4 anembodiment is exemplified how the means might be arranged within acomputer mouse 10.

[0041]FIG. 4 illustrates, how an electromagnet 50 by means of screws isarranged in a means of attachment 52, here fixed by means of screws inthe bottom portion 18 of the computer mouse 10. Between the casing 20and the bottom portion 18 a resilient means 56 is placed. When thecomputer mouse 10 receives the sensory feedback signal the anchor 58 ofthe electromagnet 50 hits the casing 20 generating a movement in thecasing 20. The movement transforms into a vibration by means of thepotential energy stored in the resilient means 56. To achieve a codingof the sensory feedback as described above already known meanssgenerating pulse sequences might be used.

[0042] Moreover, the present invention solves the problems connected tothe sensory feedback by means of a pin as described in EP-A1-0-607,580in that the mouse itself vibrates making it easier for the user with atendency to be seized with cramp and trembling to use the computer mouse10. They do not necessarily have to touch the computer mouse with anyspecific position of the hand as the whole computer mouse according tothe invention is moving.

[0043]FIG. 5 illustrates how a cursor with a shadow is shown, whenaccording to one embodiment of the present invention a user of thecursor touches a tracking device in a three-dimensional virtualsurrounding 60, e.g. a space.

[0044] The tracking device 10 is moved to a desired virtual object 62 inform of a three-dimensional volume without the object being visible inspace. However, the cursor 28 controlled by the pointer might befollowed on a display means delimited by means of the solid line 64. Thedisplay means is not necessarily a computer screen 30 but relay consistof any other form of picture reproduction means, e.g. a mirror.

[0045] The object 62 is visible to a user on the display means delimitedby the line 64 in FIG. 5 i.e. nor virtually as the surroundings 60.

[0046] Moreover, the cursor 28 has a shadow 66 on the display means 64remaining within the object, when the cursor is pulled out of theobject, if the tracking device is not released by means of e.g. apressing downwards. A user of the racking device finds in some wayeasier back to the object 62 in the virtual surroundings after e.g. apause or another exit from the space of the object 62. The cursor isthen integrated with the shadow when it is situated in the object 62.

[0047] The facts mentioned above are e.g. applicable in CAD programssuch as ALIAS i.a. being used in the car industry to design products,where it is a problem to decide, where in the space depth the cursor 28is simated. It should also be observed that the virtual space 60 maycomprise numbers of space objects 62 in various geometric forms, theusefulness of the shadow 66 becoming obvious.

[0048] The depth of a space object 62 is e.g. defined by means of acoordinate system 68 in three dimensions, such as a cartesian or a polarsystem, etc.

[0049] Another possible application area for the embodiment above of thecursor 28 with a shadow 66 is in surgery field, e.g. for training ofsurgical candidates or for more advanced surgery of more or lesscomplicated operations.

[0050] A three-dimensional picture or a picture in perspective consistsconventionally of a program providing mesh models of objects 62 withoutany space therein. The space might be calculated in real time when asurface is passed in the object 62. Thus, a surface in the object 62 isdefined by means of here not shown polygon rendered in real time, thenecessary surface to obtain space thus being obtained.

[0051] The present invention has been described with preferredembodiments not to be considered to limit the invention. It is thedefinition of the claims that defines the invention for the man of art.

1. A tracking device for marking graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42,44) in connection with or comprised in a program as an interface for theaccess of program functions comprised in the details, characterized inthat a cursor (28) controlled by means of the tracking device (10) on adisplay receives a sensory feedback from status signals for a cursorcontrol in a host unit (12, 14, 30), when the cursor hits or passes saidgraphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in such a form that means(50) provided in the tracking device (10) generate a movement (46) ofthe tracking device (10), where a cursor (28) being fixed in a detailcan freely move within the borders of the detail (32, 34, 36, 40, 42,44).
 2. A tracking device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe movement of the tracking device consists of that it vibrates,bounces, bumps or slants.
 3. A cracking device according to claim 1 to2, characterized in that the cursor can be fixed within the borders ofoptional details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44), when the cursor (28) hits theborders or passes them and when the cursor is released during apressing-down of the casing (20) of the tracking device.
 4. A trackingdevice according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that a graphicaldetail can consist of an icon (34), a key (40, 42, 44), a window (32) oran edge (36) delimiting the frame (30).
 5. A tracking device accordingto claim 1 to 4, characterized in that graphical details in form of keyrows are rendering different sensory feedbacks depending on the key andits function.
 6. A tracking device according to claim 1 to 5,characterized in that the cursor (28) being fixed in a three-dimensionalobject or derail is free to move within the volume of the object or thedetail.
 7. A tracking device according to claim 3 to 5, characterized inthat the cursor (28) provides a shadow within the object or the detailif drawn out of these without first being released.
 8. A tracking deviceaccording to claim 7, characterized in that the shadow allows the cursorto be moved more easily into the object or the detail.
 9. A method formarking graphical details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in conection with orcomprised in a program as an user interface for the access of programfunctions comprised in the details, characterized in that a cursor (28)controlled by means of the tracking device (10) on a display receives asensory feedback from status signals for a cursor control in a host unit(12, 14, 30) when the cursor hits or passes said graphical details (32,34, 36, 40, 42, 44) in such a form that means (50) provided in thetracking device (10) generate a movement (46) of the tracking device(10), where a cursor (28) being fixed in a detail can freely move withinthe borders of the detail (32, 34, 36, 40, 42, 44).
 10. A methodaccording to claim 9, characterized in that the movement of the trackingdevice consists of that it vibrates, bounces, bumps or slants.
 11. Amethod according to claim 9 to 10, characterized in that the cursor canbe fixed within the borders of optional details (32, 34, 36, 40, 42,44), when the cursor (28) hits the borders or passes them and when thecursor is released during a pressing-down of the casing (20) of thetracking device.
 12. A method according to claim 9 to 11, characterizedin that a graphical detail can consist of an icon (34), a key (40, 42,44), a window (32) or an edge (36) delimiting the frame (30).
 13. Amethod according to claim 9 to 12, characterized in that graphicaldetails in form of key rows are rendering different sensory feedbacksdepending on the key and its function.
 14. A method according to claim 9to 13, characterized in that the cursor (28) being fixed in athree-dimensional object or detail is free to move within the volume ofthe object or the detail.
 15. A method according to claim 9 to 14,characterized in that the cursor (28) provides a shadow within theobject or the detail if drawn out of these without first being released.16. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the shadowallows the cursor to be moved more easily into the object or the detail.